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Colin Pascoe joined Liverpool as assistant manager in July 2012, making for an emotional return to the scene of his first foray into competitive football.

The former Wales international made his senior debut as an 18-year-old for Swansea City in a 3-0 defeat at Anfield in 1983 to Bob Paisley's Reds.

"I joined Swansea in 1981 as a youth trainee for two years - and I made my full league debut on my 18th birthday in 1983 at Anfield," Pascoe explains.

"It was an awesome experience. It being my 18th birthday made it a great event in itself, but to actually make the first XI and face Liverpool at Anfield was an extra special occasion.

"What I remember most about the game is chasing the ball! A lot of my memory of the day is quite blurred because it was so many years ago now, but I can remember pulling up at Anfield and there being a lot of fans outside, then going through the warm-up and kick-off.

"There was a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium, and it was a great day - but unfortunately I was on the end of a 3-0 defeat!"

Now, more than three decades on, Pascoe is back on Merseyside assisting Brendan Rodgers in preparing Liverpool for action at Melwood.

Born in Bridgend, he spent seven years at Swansea before joining Sunderland in 1987, where he would enjoy five seasons before returning to the Swans.

Pascoe then went on to represent Blackpool and non-league sides Merthyr Tydfil and Carmarthen before calling time on his playing career in 1996, during which he also acquired 10 caps for his country.

Having obtained his coaching badges, he moved to Cardiff City to tutor youngsters at the club's academy.

In 2005, Pascoe re-joined Swansea's backroom team on a part-time basis, though he would soon assume a permanent role with the Welsh club.

Upon Rodgers' arrival at the Liberty Stadium in 2010, the boss elevated Pascoe to the role of his No.2.

"Brendan and I share similar beliefs and we hit it off straight away when he came in," he explains.

"When he arrived at Swansea, we talked through the philosophy of the style Brendan wanted to play. Our ideas were similar and it's great to work with someone who likes the team to get the ball down, pass it and move it - but also work hard off the ball too.

"He's a manager who loves his players to express themselves and win games."

With the duo at the helm, Swansea achieved promotion to the top flight before taking the Premier League by storm in 2011-12, with their free-flowing brand of football winning plenty of admirers.

Rodgers was appointed as Liverpool manager on June 1, 2012 - and trusty lieutenant soon followed him in making the journey to L4.

Pascoe believes there are exciting times ahead under the new regime.

"It was a dream come true to come here," he said. "I've always admired Liverpool from when I was a young lad and watched them on TV.

"I've always thought of Liverpool of being a team who pass and move the ball, and make the opposition work hard to get anything. When teams to come to Anfield, they need to really earn anything they get.

"I'm really excited by the challenge and I am sure there are exciting times ahead."